Foggia still on the roster, but Budel is not.

By: Jeremy | January 8th, 2008

Cagliari Sporting Director Nicola Salerno says Foggia will be staying at the club and not leaving during the January transfer window even though it is clear Foggia would prefer to return to Napoli who has yet to make an offer for him. That is good news, but we wont know anything for sure until the transfer window closes. Hopefully the club is talking to Foggia to try and settle him so he can lead the team out of the relegation zone. After this season, all bets are off and he likely will be leaving. If I understand correctly, the team has co ownership rights with Lazio and can control where he goes so maybe a deal is being made to let him leave without conflict if he will stay for the rest of this season. I think he stays for now, but if he is allowed to leave, relegation is inevitable.

As for Alessandro Budel, a player who clearly liked playing for the team and had been around since 2005, he had his contract terminated so he could pursue other options in January. It was clear he was being frozen out of the team and not playing much so rather then sit on the bench for 6 months, he took the team up on their offer to leave with hopes of finding playing time elsewhere. This is another stupid move by managment. I really liked Budel and felt like when he played, there were more offensive chances. He also had a good team spirit and wanted to be here which is a switch from other Cagliari players who end up talking. He is the first player to mention the fans in some time and does not seem like a me first guy. On a team lacking talent, you dont freeze him out unless you have better options which Cagliari does not. I dont understand this move or the fact Marchini is not playing, but its smaller decisions like these which indicate management really does not seem to understand how to run its team. Finally we are seeing more of what poor managment can do to a team as we no longer have Suazo to marvel at while we squeak by and survive hoping the following year will bring more stability and talent.

As for transfers, I dont see much happening but the team has needs at all positions and has to make some moves or it faces a long spring. There is still time, but I am not optimistic. I am ready to get back to playing and we will discuss Udinese next as a win at home could really ignite them going into their must win game in two weeks at Reggina.